Adrenaline-filled hunters really do try to defeat their tunnel vision and focus on non-hunting activities after annual hunting seasons end, but for many the urge to be in the woods is too great. Shed hunting – the search for antlers that whitetail deer have dropped or 'shed' – is quickly moving up on the list of things for Delaware hunters to do during the off-season and provides antsy hunters with one more reason to visit hunting grounds before spring mosquitoes stake their claims.

Unknown to many, healthy whitetail deer shed their antlers and grow new ones every year. Deer antler growth typically begins in mid- to late spring and continues through late summer. Whitetails retain their mature antlers through fall and early winter and shed them in late winter (usually January or February) leaving natural treasures for those skilled and lucky enough to recover them.

Driven by the prospects of finding shed antlers that can be used for decoration or to make knife handles, jewelry, lamps, deer rattle calls, and all sorts of other creative implements, shed hunters rely on their deer hunting expertise to direct their searches. James Blackstock, an avid deer hunter and shed antler hunter from Smyrna, frequently finds antlers by focusing on late-winter deer food sources. Blackstock says deer are in "survival mode" in late winter and they seem to bed in heavy cover close to food sources so they can conserve energy. When deer stand up from their beds, they sometimes shake their heads causing their antlers to drop. When searching bedding areas for antlers, Blackstock often finds himself crawling through heavy cover and vines. "If you find yourself on all fours, you are in the right type of cover," he says.

In addition to searching bedding areas near food sources, shed antler hunters should look to other terrain features that could jar antlers loose. One of the most common areas to find shed antlers include fence lines where deer have to jump over, or crawl under, fences. The impact of landing after a jump can dislodge a deer's antlers (in some cases both antlers at once), or antlers can be pulled from a deer's head if they come in contact with, or get hooked on, the bottom of a fence. Similarly, shed antlers are frequently found adjacent to creeks, streams and gullies that deer must jump to traverse.

Focusing on heavily traveled deer trails is another proven method of locating shed antlers, but successful shed hunters employ additional strategies to maximize their odds. Phragmites-laden trails that connect marshland to woods or fields are frequently shed antler hotspots. As deer walk the trails, phragmites, cattails, or other reeds entangle in their antlers. When the deer exit the trail, they may attempt to shake loose the reeds, thereby dislodging their antlers. Likewise, shed antlers are frequently found on trails that lead through low-hanging tree branches and vines since the undergrowth can knock antlers from deer.

Although obstacles and jarring movements contribute to dislodged antlers, it's important to note that antlers sometimes drop while a deer is merely walking or standing still. Knowing that deer could shed their antlers just about anywhere, successful shed hunters don't ignore the more obvious and accessible locations. "Don't hesitate to walk the middle of the fields," Blackstock says. "Fields are often overlooked, and some of my best sheds have been found out in the wide open."